It was a tough day for the two Mallee teams at Le Messurier as the Hills proved too strong in both matches. Hills division two jumped out early and had Mallee on the back foot with a four goal to one opening term. Hills used the ball well and gave their strong marking forwards good opportunities. The Mallee side found it difficult to adjust to the high tempo football and as a result turnovers cost them on the scoreboard. The Mallee side fought hard throughout the match, showing glimpses of what they were capable of, but the Hills side were consistently disciplined in their match plan and skills to run out comfortable winners. Captain Lachlan Richardson led the side brilliantly to win the Leighton Huxtable Medal as the Mallee league’s best player. Lachlan is the third of the Richardson brothers to captain the Mallee A grade interleague side, joining Josh and Clint – a great achievement for the family. Micah Vanloon provided run through the midfield in a strong return after a knee reconstruction in 2017. Rupert Benson’s attack on the ball and play from a back pocket was strong all day, while Harry Fromm and Chris Shawcross worked well in the ruck. Wingmen Jake Niven and Lachlan McDonald were creative and it was disappointing Lachlan sustained a shoulder injury late in the match. The Mallee under 16 side was up against a very even Hills under 16 side and on the back foot early with a six goal to one first term setting the tone for the match. The Mallee team fought back in the second and third quarters but could not maintain pressure in the final term. It was a good effort from a smaller side to hold together and be competitive throughout the match against a physically stronger team. Cooper Anderson was named best player for the Mallee, winning the Trevor Coleman Medal with a courageous performance in the midfield. Thomas Wurfel held up well in defence and Malcolm Moore showed he is a promising prospect with a strong display in ruck. Blake Virgo, Cody Box and Joe Howard worked hard all match in the midfield to give the Mallee forwards opportunities. The end result saw the Hills team run out winners in a hard fought match.

It was a tough day for the two Mallee teams at Le Messurier as the Hills proved too strong in both matches.

Hills division two jumped out early and had Mallee on the back foot with a four goal to one opening term.

Hills used the ball well and gave their strong marking forwards good opportunities.

The Mallee side found it difficult to adjust to the high tempo football and as a result turnovers cost them on the scoreboard.

The Mallee side fought hard throughout the match, showing glimpses of what they were capable of, but the Hills side were consistently disciplined in their match plan and skills to run out comfortable winners.

Captain Lachlan Richardson led the side brilliantly to win the Leighton Huxtable Medal as the Mallee league’s best player.

Lachlan is the third of the Richardson brothers to captain the Mallee A grade interleague side, joining Josh and Clint – a great achievement for the family.

Micah Vanloon provided run through the midfield in a strong return after a knee reconstruction in 2017.

Rupert Benson’s attack on the ball and play from a back pocket was strong all day, while Harry Fromm and Chris Shawcross worked well in the ruck.

Wingmen Jake Niven and Lachlan McDonald were creative and it was disappointing Lachlan sustained a shoulder injury late in the match.